Why is ADR crucial for India’s courts?

Context and Background

• Recent Developments:
  • Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal reaffirmed India’s commitment to legal reforms rooted in civilisational ethos, citing the Panch Parmeshwar doctrine (collective consensus in dispute resolution).
  • Emphasis on global cooperation to strengthen ADR mechanisms.
• Current Challenges in India’s Justice System:
  • Pending cases: 4.57 crore overall; Supreme Court: 81,768; High Courts: ~62.9 lakh.
  • Vacancy rates: High Courts 33%, district courts 21%.
  • Judicial workloads: Over 4,000 cases per judge in UP, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala.
  • Delays in case disposal, inter-State disparities, and accountability gaps undermine access to justice.

Relevance

• GS II – Polity & Governance:
  • Constitutional provisions: Article 39A, Sixth Schedule of CPC.
  • Legal reforms, access to justice, rule of law, accountability.
• GS II & III – Governance & Economy:
  • Court efficiency impacts business and commerce.
  • ADR reduces litigation costs, fostering economic growth.

Constitutional and Legal Basis of ADR

• Article 39A, Constitution of India:
  • Mandates the State to provide free legal aid and ensure equal justice.
  • Forms the foundation for pre-litigation dispute resolution mechanisms.
• Legal Provisions Governing ADR:
  • Section 89, Civil Procedure Code (CPC), 1908: Courts can refer cases to arbitration, conciliation, mediation, or Lok Adalat.
  • Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 & 2021 Amendment:
    • Civil and compoundable criminal disputes can be resolved via binding awards.
    • Indian Arbitration Council established to oversee arbitration.
    • Maximum dispute resolution period: 180 days.
    • Parties dissatisfied can exit after two mediation sessions.
• Lok Adalats:
  • Governed by Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987; inspired by Article 39A.
  • Variants: Permanent Lok Adalat, National Lok Adalat, e-Lok Adalat.
  • Features:
    • Decisions are final; no appeal, as disputes are resolved pre-litigation.
    • Emphasis on socially inclusive, accessible, and language-appropriate dispute resolution.

Rationale for Strengthening ADR

• Reduce Court Pendency:
  • Pre-litigation mediation prevents inflow into regular courts.
  • Ensures faster disposal of cases, particularly in high-backlog States (Andhra Pradesh, UP, Bihar).
• Increase Access and Equity:
  • ADR is cost-effective and socially inclusive, reducing barriers for marginalized communities.
  • Supports constitutional mandate of equal justice.
• Promote Social Harmony:
  • Mediation encourages dialogue, consensus-building, and reconciliation.
  • Protects social relationships while resolving disputes.
• Enhance Accountability:
  • Real-time data through National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) improves monitoring of case pendency and judicial performance.

Mechanisms of ADR

• Arbitration:
  • Parties submit disputes to a neutral arbitrator; award is legally binding.
  • Speedy resolution; maximum period capped at 180 days.
• Mediation & Conciliation:
  • Voluntary exchange of views under neutral facilitation.
  • Focus on social norms aligned with constitutional values (D.Y. Chandrachud).
• Lok Adalats:
  • Resolve disputes before litigation.
  • Include e-Lok Adalats for wider accessibility.
  • Decisions are final and enforceable, minimizing litigation fatigue.

Challenges in the Justice System

• High Case Pendency: 4.57 crore cases; backlog >10 years in many High Courts and subordinate courts.
• Judicial Vacancies: Over 30% in High Courts; delays exacerbate access to justice issues.
• Inter-State Disparities: States like UP, Andhra Pradesh, and Bihar lag significantly.
• Infrastructure Gaps: Court infrastructure and digitization uneven across States.
• Public Awareness: ADR mechanisms underutilized due to lack of awareness.

Strategic Importance and Reforms Needed

• Integrate ADR in Judicial Policy:
  • Mandatory pre-litigation mediation for civil and commercial disputes.
  • Expand Lok Adalats and e-Lok Adalats for rural and urban populations.
• Institutional Strengthening:
  • Empower Indian Arbitration Council and legal aid bodies.
  • Real-time monitoring via NJDG and data analytics.
• Capacity Building:
  • Train mediators, conciliators, and judicial officers in ADR principles.
  • Promote ADR as part of legal education and civil awareness campaigns.
• Global Cooperation:
  • Learn best practices from international ADR systems.
  • Encourage cross-border arbitration for commercial disputes.